ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH DECEMBER 9, 2018 Inside This Week Faith and Tradition Liturgical Schedule Daily Readings Coming Events Ministry & Organization News Financial Update Ministry Schedule Our Parish in Action 505 Broome Street Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Office (904)261-3472 Emergency (904) 277-6566 www.stmichaelscatholic.com Fr. Jose Kallukalam, Pastor Our Mission We are the body of Christ at St. Michael s Parish Called to Gather for Worship, Celebrate the Paschal Mysteries Preach the Gospel Minister to Others And be Witnesses to the World.
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT DECEMBER 9, 2018 AWAITING THE SALVATION OF GOD The world does not seem big enough to contain the jubilation of the first reading. In the Gospel reading, the Roman empire isn t big enough, either. The great powers of Rome are named and made to stand waiting for the arrival of God s salvation. And we find Paul meditating joyfully on what really matters. According to Baruch, the city of Jerusalem is like a person standing on tiptoe looking for God s salvation, which is coming from the east. Those who were led away on foot, heads down, now come back, a proud people. Why, the very way is smoothed out. The path is lined with fragrant, lush trees. It can t get any better than this, can it? Well, yes, it can. For a voice calls out in the desert. Here is the Dear brothers and sisters, We are half way through Advent and closer to the celebration of Jesus first coming. Our preparation for Christmas becomes meaningful when we spiritually get ready to receive the Lord. The first two weeks of Advent have been planned to open our hearts to the needs of people around us. First week gave us the opportunity to feed the hungry. The goodwill of our parishioners to the needy among us was far beyond everyone s expectation. At least a truckload of food was donated in one week. I should say a big Thank You to each of you for your generous heart. All the food we collected will be taken to Catholic Charities on Monday. Catholic charities serves the needy families in our Diocese including those in the Nassau County. The food we donated will reach the homes of the needy families before Christmas. This week we donate coats and blankets for people to protect themselves from severe weather. They will be distributed to various organizations that help those in need. Third Sunday we Sing Praises to the Lord by visiting nursing homes to sing Christmas hymns and in the evening gather at our church for Lessons and Carols presented by our choir followed by a chili dinner and Lighting of the Park. Even if you cannot join for singing at nursing homes, please don t miss the opportunity to come to the Lessons and Carrols that starts at 6.00 PM. On December 18 th we have Penance Service for our immediate spiritual preparation for the celebration of Christmas. I wish all of you and your families all the blessings and happiness of Christmas. Fr. Jose Kallukalam Faith and Traditions TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION Look around most Catholic churches, and you will discover an image of John the Baptist, often in the old baptistery, or in a window near where the font is or was located. He has two feast days in the calendar: one commemorating his birth, and the other his death. There are only three nativities in our calendar: for Jesus, for Mary, and for the Baptist. John s birthday is reckoned according to the schedule given in Luke s Gospel of the angel s announcement to Mary. The angel tells her that her cousin Elizabeth is in the sixth month of pregnancy, and so Mary hastens to help her. Reckoning Christmas as December 25, we count backwards nine months to March 25 for the Feast of the Annunciation. Then we count forward three months to June 24 for John the Baptist s birth. Halfway to Christmas, his nativity gives ample reason for rejoicing in the summer, and his symbols of fire and water are used playfully in bonfires and dives into the sea. Even at the polar opposite of Christmas in the calendar, the energy of Christ s birth in the Incarnation provides cause for rejoicing. 2
Liturgical Schedule (Intentions) Sat. Dec. 8 5:00 Gary Snyder by Johnelle Snyder Sun. Dec. 9 8:00 Thelma Jones by Don & Elizabeth Talbot Sun. Dec. 9 10:00 Parishioners of St. Michael Sun. Dec. 9 12:00 Laura Galiano by the Janzen family Mon. Dec. 10 8:30 SPECIAL INTENTION of Michael Decowski by the Decowski family Tues. Dec. 11 6:00 Members of the Griffiths & Ruiz families by the Griffiths family Wed. Dec. 12 8:30 Larry Dean by Sophia Venditti Thurs. Dec. 13 8:30 SPECIAL INTENTION of Michael Decowski by the Decowski family Fri. Dec. 14 8:30 SPECIAL INTENTION of Michael Decowski by the Decowski family Sat. Dec. 15 5:00 Irwin Southwick by Elizabeth Lauerman Sun. Dec. 16 8:00 Tom O Hagan by Paul Donovan Sun. Dec. 16 10:00 Parishioners of St. Michael Sun. Dec. 16 12:00 Pearl Cooper by Don & Peggy Cooper Please pray for all requests in our Prayer Request Book. Please pray for the sick, and those who died, especially Ronald Neville. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Second Sunday of Advent December 9, 2018 God has commanded that every lofty mountain be made low. Baruch 5:7 Daily Readings TODAY S READINGS First Reading Take off your robe of mourning and misery; put on the splendor of glory from God (Baruch 5:1-9). Psalm The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy (Psalm 126). Second Reading I am confident that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11). Gospel The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth (Luke 3:1-6). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 35:1-10; Ps 85:9-14; Lk 5:17-26 Tuesday: Is 40:1-11; Ps 96:1-3, 10ac, 11-13; Mt 18:12-14 Wednesday: Zec 2:14-17 or Rv 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Jdt 13:18bcde, 19; Lk 1:26-38 or Lk 1:39-47, or any readings from the nos. 707-712 Thursday: Is 41:13-20; Ps 145:1, 9-13ab; Mt 11:11-15 Friday: Is 48:17-19; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Mt 11:16-19 Saturday: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Ps 80: 2ac, 3b, 15-16, 18-19; Mt 17:9a, 10-13 Sunday: Zep 3:14-18a; Is 12:2-6; Phil 4:4-7; Lk 3:10-18 SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: Second Sunday of Advent Monday: International Human Rights Day Tuesday: St. Damasus I Wednesday: Our Lady of Guadalupe Thursday: St. Lucy Friday: St. John of the Cross
Coming Events ADVENT PENANCE SEVICE Tuesday, December 18, 2018 7:00 pm CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES 4:00 pm Mass (church) 4:00 pm Mass (hall) 6:00 pm Mass (church) 11:00 pm Mass (church) Ministry & Organization News and RCIA RITE OF WELCOMING AND ACCEPTANCE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2018 CHRISTMAS DAY MASSES 8:00 am Mass 10:00 am Mass 12:00 noon Mass The music prelude before the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses will begin 1/2 hour prior to Mass. SOLEMNITY OF MARY, MOTHER OF GOD Monday, December 31, 2018 Vigil Mass 6:00 pm RITE OF WELCOMING AND ACCEPTANCE BRUNCH Truman Brown, Father Jose, Daniel Robertson Paul Thornton, Fernando Lopez, Cathy Mulchay, Donna Byrd Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Feast Day Masses 8:30 am 6:00 pm LIVING WITH LOSS The Living with Loss group will NOT meet in December. We will resume meetings in January. Have a blessed Christmas. FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT I was hungry and you gave me food Matthew 25:34 ST. MICHAEL MEN S CLUB ANNUAL RETREAT The St. Michael's Men's Club will be sponsoring its annual retreat at Marywood Retreat Center, St. John's,Florida from January 25 to January 27, 2019. Our Retreat Master is Father Jack Rathschmidt, a Capuchin Franciscan Friar. The retreat is open to all men of the Parish. The cost of the retreat is $175 for SMMC members and $200 for non members which includes lodging and meals. In the event someone can not afford the cost of the retreat the SMMC can assist. This is an opportunity to put the stresses of everyday life aside and concentrate on ones spiritual life. We have reserved 20 rooms at Marywood. Please contact Charlie Sciarini of the SMMC at 904 491-4978 or csciarini@gmail.com to make a reservation. 4
Financial Update Sunday, December 2, 2018 Registered Families 1565 Offertory $ 19,393.26 On Line Giving $ 4,248.40 Children s Collection $ 37.00 Debt Reduction $ 10,610.00 On Line Debt Reduction $ 450.00 2017 Q4 DEBT AND REPAYMENT AMOUNT (As of June 30, 2017) Existing Debt/Notes Payable $1,481.712.00 4th Quarter Repayment $-164,057.00 (From Debt Reduction Donations) ===================================== Remaining Debt $1,317.655.00 Saturday, December 8, 2018 Sunday, December 9, 2018 Sunday, December 9, 2018 Sunday, December 9, 2018 Ministry Schedule 5:00 Mass MacDonell Karr, Wagner Deacon Art, Gosnell s, Riegler, Shripka s, Christian VonMohr Sarah VonMohr Gabby Wagner 8:00 Mass Stoner Cardinale, Moore Coleman, Dalton s, Turner Oden, Pulsinelli Donovan, White 10:00 Mass Lee Maddox, Martin Maddox, McGowan, White, Sciarini s, Svela, Tufaro Christopher Hampton, Harrison Pollock, McKayla Pollack 12:00 Mass Light Kebert, Miller s Gosa, Hippler, Mason, Pitts Tasso, Trocino Piper Kebert Grace Scuderi Camren Schmack RELIGIOUS FORMATION CLASSES There will be no Religious Formation classes ext Sunday, December 16, 2018. We are excited to have all our families participating in the Advent activities that are planned for that afternoon and evening. Classes will resume on Sunday, January 6, 2019. Saturday, December 15, 2018 Extraordinary Minsters Sunday, December 16, 2018 Sunday, December 16, 2018 Sunday, December 16, 2018 5:00 Mass Stoffel Bender s Sheppard, Shripia s, Smith,Laurent, Valezquez Katie Biagini Mary Biagini Zander Sellers 8:00 Mass Sechler Young s Deacon Art, Anderson,Dean, Eby, Finnigan, Walters, Walker Dalton, Oden 10:00 Mass Mackowski Livingston, Zagroday Balsamo s, J. Murphy, M.Schweitzer, White, S.Schweitzer, Turner Ivy Bradley, Anthony Balsamo Austin Thompson-Davoli 12:00 Mass S. Quinn Kebert,Oberholtzer Amos, Avakian, Bratton, Cantin Caserta, Howard, Janzen Christian VonMohr, 5
We rejoice that the day of the first coming of the Lord is approaching. Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Psalm 96:1-2 Please join us at 2:30 pm at the church if you would like to go Caroling to some of our Nursing Homes. We will return by 5:00 pm. If you are interested in caroling, please call the parish office and let us know! 904.261.3472 The St. Michael Music Ministry presents a beautiful and spiritual Festival of Lessons and Carols beginning with the prelude at 5:30 pm and the program at 6:00pm in the church. Spiritual Preparation Advent Penance Service Tuesday, 12/18/18 7:00 pm On December 16th, bring an ornament that reflects your Advent journey this season. We will hang it on the tree. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE On Sunday, December 16 th, we will give everyone a chance to be a part of a wonderful afternoon! You can go Caroling if you like, attend the Lessons in Carols, put a family ornament on our tree outside, and eat a wonderful Chili dinner following the Lessons in Carols. The evening will conclude with the Christmas lighting ceremony on the church grounds! 6
Pastor Fr. Jose Kallukalam Deacon Deacon Art Treadwell Parish Directory Weekday Masses Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30 am Tuesday: 6:00 pm Weekend Masses Saturday: 5:00 pm Sunday: 8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 noon Confessions: Saturday: 4:00 4:45 pm or by appointment Parish Pastoral Council Mr. Jake Gosa, Chairman Parish Finance Council Mr. Jan Smith, Chairman Parish Staff Jeanne Dean, Secretary- jdean@stmichaelscatholic.com Lori Kennedy, Director Religious Formation Walt Edwards, Business Manager Patty O Neill, Bookkeeper Denise Ziegler, Director of Music Parish Office Hours Monday 12noon 4pm Tuesday Friday 9am 4pm Parish Phone (904)261-3472 Emergency Phone (904)277-6566 Parish Fax (904)321-1901 Parish Website Address www.stmichaelscatholic.com Religious Formation Adults Sunday 9am 9:45am - Parish Hall 1st Grade 7th Grade 9:am 9:45am St. Michael Academy Children s Liturgy of the Word 3 year olds 7 year olds during 10am Mass St. Michael Academy Dr. Chris Hampton, Principal Academy Phone (904)321-2102 Parish Information Would You Like to Join St. Michael Parish? To join St. Michael Catholic Church and to register your email address, to receive parish information and updates, please chose one of the following: Register Online www.stmichaelscatholic.com By Phone - (904)261-3472 In Person - 505 Broome Street., Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Ministry to Sick & Homebound Please contact the Parish Office by email or by phone to arrange a visit from a Priest or Extraordinary Minister. Baptism Please contact the Parish Office by phone to arrange for a Baptism and requirements. Matrimony Couples seeking information on marriage preparation and available date should contact the Parish Office by email or by phone to meet with a priest at least eight months prior to the wedding date. R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Persons interested in learning more about the Catholic faith are encouraged to contact the Parish Office by email or by phone for more information on our RCIA process. Religious Formation Persons interested in Adult, Youth or Young Adult formation programs should contact the Director of Religious Formation by phone or email at lkennedy@stmichaelscatholic.com. 7 Academy Website Address www.smacad.org